Renewables company Orthios has revealed it is creating 500 new jobs over the next five years in Anglesey, Wales.

The company, which specialises in renewable energy and sustainable food production – is expanding its 213-acre Orthios Eco Parks site to accommodate new technology in biomass, wind power and waste products.

The expansion will generate power to the National Grid as well as producing enough power for 650,000 local homes permanently. The land is also being cultivated for food production, specialising in the harvest of prawns, fruit and vegetables.

Speaking ahead of his visit to Orthios' base in Holyhead, Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said: "This is an exciting and innovative project which has the potential to provide a significant boost to the local economy. Renewable energy is vital to Wales as we look to move towards a low carbon future, and the Orthios site is something to behold. With a strategically valuable position on the island, which includes a private jetty and railhead, the company is in prime position to export domestically and globally from its own backyard.


"I am delighted to see Orthios offering infrastructure access to other local businesses and, with the creation of 500 new jobs over a five-year period, the impact on the local economy cannot be underestimated."

Orthios' Chief Executive Officer, Sean McCormick, added: "I am delighted to have the Secretary of State visit Anglesey to see first-hand the work already undertaken to get the redundant former Rio Tinto aluminium site ready for the production opportunities generated through the bio economy being created on the site.

"The production businesses to be created on site will benefit from the infrastructure already in place. This will provide the platform to facilitate the creation of 500 permanent jobs locally and will support the continued regeneration of the North Wales economy."

(LM/CD)